Method and kit for expanding circulating tumor cells in vitro

ABSTRACT

A method for expanding circulating tumor cell in vitro includes preparing a cell culture tool having a multi-particle colloidal crystal layer, preparing a cell solution including circulating tumor cells, and contacting the cell solution with the multi-particle colloidal crystal layer, to attach the circulating tumor cells in the cell solution to the multi-particle colloidal crystal layer and rapidly expand by 20 times or more. The multi-particle colloidal crystal layer at least includes first particles having a particle size of 1000 to 5000 nm and second particles having a particle size of 20 to 400 nm. The culture medium in the cell solution at least includes a platelet lysate.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This non-provisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) to Patent Application No. 107111077 filed in Taiwan, R.O.C. onMar. 29, 2018, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present invention relates to a cell culture technology, andparticularly to a method and kit for expanding circulating tumor cellsin vitro.

Related Art

At present, for the use of anti-cancer drugs, the clinicians rely mainlyon statistical analysis of clinical treatments to determine the choiceof anti-cancer drugs and plan the course of treatment for the patientswith cancers. In these processes, the patient's response to the drug canbe evaluated only after a period of time after the course of treatmentis completed. Moreover, when a drug or a changed medical prescription isgiven to the patients, it is not possible to determine an appropriatedrug based on individual differences of the patients. Therefore, inorder to improve the success rate of cancer treatment, detectionaccording to the specific nature of cancers among individuals andconstant evaluation of the response to the drugs during the course oftreatment can provide a clinically tailored therapeutic approach.

When cancer cells are detached from the primary tumor and enter into theblood vessels, the cancer cells in the blood are called circulatingtumor cells (CTCs). CTC count is a new approach of cancer biomarker.Many studies have confirmed that this approach can be used to predictthe prognosis of cancers and monitor the response of cells tochemotherapy and targeted therapy. Currently, in many CTC-relatedclinical applications, the development of diseases is generallydetermined based on CTC count. However, although it has been confirmedtheoretically in several research papers that CTC can immediately anddirectly reflect the patient's response to drugs, this approach stillcannot be used widely. Due to the limitation by the lack of suitabletechnology to expand the number of CTCs, accurate genetic testing cannotbe achieved with a small number of CTCs and no sufficient number of CTCsare available for drug test. Moreover, the CTC culture in vitro is quitelow in success rate (less than 20%) and is time consuming (over sixmonths or more).

SUMMARY

In an embodiment, a method for expanding circulating tumor cells invitro comprises preparing a cell culture tool having a multi-particlecolloidal crystal layer, preparing a cell solution, and contacting thecell solution with the multi-particle colloidal crystal layer, to attachthe circulating tumor cells to the multi-particle colloidal crystallayer and expand to a given condition. The cell culture tool comprises atwo-dimensional planar surface and the multi-particle colloidal crystallayer located on the two-dimensional planar surface. Moreover, themulti-particle colloidal crystal layer comprises first particles havinga particle size of 1000 to 5000 nm and second particles having aparticle size of 20 to 400 nm. The cell solution comprises a culturemedium and the circulating tumor cells. Furthermore, the culture mediumcomprises a platelet lysate.

In an embodiment, a kit for expanding circulating tumor cells in vitrocomprises culture medium materials and a cell culture tool. The culturemedium materials are used to formulate a culture medium comprising aplatelet lysate. The cell culture tool is used to hold the culturemedium and comprises a two-dimensional planar surface and amulti-particle colloidal crystal layer located on the two-dimensionalplanar surface. The multi-particle colloidal crystal layer comprisesfirst particles having a particle size of 1000 to 5000 nm and secondparticles having a particle size of 20 to 400 nm.

In summary, according to the method and kit for expanding circulatingtumor cells in vitro provided in the embodiments of the presentinvention, a cell culture tool having a multi-particle colloidal crystallayer with a suitable range of particle sizes formed on a surfacethereof is used, to attach the circulating tumor cells thereon andexpand efficiently, and the expanded circulating tumor cells can be usedfor drug evaluation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The patent of application file contains at least one drawing executed incolor. Copies of this patent or patent application publication withcolor drawing(s) will be provided by the office upon request and paymentof the necessary fee.

The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description given herein below for illustration only, and thusare not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a method for expanding circulating tumor cellsin vitro according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a cell culture tool according to an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cell culture toolshown in FIG. 2 alone line AA.

FIG. 4 schematically shows an implementation state of the cell culturetool as shown in FIG. 3 after the cell solution is added.

FIG. 5 schematically shows the states of the cell culture tool and thecell solution as shown in FIG. 4 after culturing.

FIG. 6 is an optical micrograph showing the surface of a multi-particlecolloidal crystal layer having colonies of circulating tumor cellsformed thereon through the method for expanding circulating tumor cellsin vitro according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a detailed flow chart of an example of Step S10 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of a method for screening drugs.

FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B are Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images of thesurface of a multi-particle colloidal crystal layer according to Example1.

FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B are SEM images of the surface of a multi-particlecolloidal crystal layer according to Example 2.

FIG. 11 is an SEM image of the surface of a multi-particle colloidalcrystal layer according to Example 3.

FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B are SEM images of the surface of a multi-particlecolloidal crystal layer according to Example 4.

FIG. 13 is an SEM image of the surface of a multi-particle colloidalcrystal layer according to Example 5.

FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B are SEM images of the surface of a multi-particlecolloidal crystal layer according to Example 6.

FIG. 15A and FIG. 15B are SEM images of the surface of a multi-particlecolloidal crystal layer according to Example 7.

FIG. 16 is an SEM image of the surface of a multi-particle colloidalcrystal layer according to Example 8.

FIG. 17A and FIG. 17B are SEM images of the surface of a multi-particlecolloidal crystal layer according to Example 9.

FIG. 18A and FIG. 18B are SEM images of the surface of a multi-particlecolloidal crystal layer according to Example 10.

FIG. 19 is an SEM image of the surface of a multi-particle colloidalcrystal layer according to Example 11.

FIG. 20 is an SEM image of the surface of a multi-particle colloidalcrystal layer according to Example 12.

FIG. 21 is an SEM image of the surface of a multi-particle colloidalcrystal layer according to Example 13.

FIG. 22 is an SEM image of the surface of a multi-particle colloidalcrystal layer according to Example 14.

FIG. 23A and FIG. 23B are SEM images of the surface of a multi-particlecolloidal crystal layer according to Example 15.

FIG. 24A and FIG. 24B are SEM images of the surface of a multi-particlecolloidal crystal layer according to Example 16.

FIG. 25A and FIG. 25B are SEM images of the surface of a multi-particlecolloidal crystal layer according to Example 17.

FIG. 26A and FIG. 26B are SEM images of the surface of a multi-particlecolloidal crystal layer according to Example 18.

FIG. 27A and FIG. 27B are SEM images of the surface of a multi-particlecolloidal crystal layer according to Example 19.

FIG. 28A and FIG. 28B are SEM images of the surface of a multi-particlecolloidal crystal layer according to Example 20.

FIGS. 29A and 29B are SEM images of the surface of a multi-particlecolloidal crystal layer according to Example 21.

FIGS. 30A and 30B are SEM images of the surface of a multi-particlecolloidal crystal layer according to Example 22.

FIG. 31 is an SEM image of the surface of a multi-particle colloidalcrystal layer according to Example 23.

FIG. 32 is an SEM image of the surface of a multi-particle colloidalcrystal layer according to Example 24.

FIG. 33 is an SEM image of the surface of a multi-particle colloidalcrystal layer according to Example 25.

FIG. 34 is an SEM image of the surface of a multi-particle colloidalcrystal layer according to Example 26.

FIG. 35 is an SEM image of the surface of a multi-particle colloidalcrystal layer according to Example 27.

FIG. 36 is an SEM image of the surface of a multi-particle colloidalcrystal layer according to Example 28.

FIG. 37 is an optical micrograph at 200× magnification showingmelanoma-derived circulating tumor cells at day 10 after being cultured.

FIG. 38 is an optical micrograph at 200× magnification showingmelanoma-derived circulating tumor cells at day 31 after being cultured.

FIG. 39 is an optical micrograph at 100× magnification showing livercancer-derived circulating tumor cells at day 17 after being cultured.

FIG. 40 is an optical micrograph at 100× magnification showing livercancer-derived circulating tumor cells at day 36 after being cultured.

FIG. 41 is an optical micrograph showing breast cancer-derivedcirculating tumor cells cultured through the method for expandingcirculating tumor cells in vitro according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 42 shows immunofluorescence staining images of Pan-CK, CD45, and4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DPAI) in breast cancer-derivedcirculating tumor cells as shown in FIG. 41.

FIG. 43 is an optical micrograph showing pancreatic cancer-derivedcirculating tumor cells cultured through the method for expandingcirculating tumor cells in vitro according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 44 shows immunofluorescence staining images of Pan-CK, CD45, andDPAI in pancreatic cancer-derived circulating tumor cells as shown inFIG. 43.

FIG. 45 shows small cell lung cancer-derived circulating tumor cellscultured through the method for expanding circulating tumor cells invitro according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 46 shows immunofluorescence staining images of synaptophysin,thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1), CD45, and DPAI in the small celllung cancer-derived circulating tumor cells as shown in FIG. 45.

FIG. 47 is a micrograph showing the amplification state of the breastcancer-derived circulating tumor cells on the surface of themulti-particle colloidal crystal layer as shown in FIG. 25A and FIG.25B.

FIG. 48 is a micrograph showing the amplification state of the breastcancer-derived circulating tumor cells on the surface of themulti-particle colloidal crystal layer as shown in FIG. 24A and FIG.24B.

FIG. 49 is a micrograph showing the amplification state of the breastcancer-derived circulating tumor cells on the surface of themulti-particle colloidal crystal layer as shown in FIG. 23A and FIG.23B.

FIG. 50 is a micrograph showing the amplification state of the breastcancer-derived circulating tumor cells on the surface of themulti-particle colloidal crystal layer as shown in FIG. 26A and FIG.26B.

FIG. 51 is a micrograph showing the amplification state of the breastcancer-derived circulating tumor cells on the surface of themulti-particle colloidal crystal layer as shown in FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B.

FIG. 52 is a micrograph showing the amplification state of the breastcancer-derived circulating tumor cells on the surface of themulti-particle colloidal crystal layer as shown in FIG. 10A and FIG.10B.

FIG. 53 shows the relationship between the amplification time in weeksand the living states of 19 groups of circulating tumor cells.

FIG. 54 shows the changes in the viability of the circulating tumorcells derived from one of two patients with small cell lung cancer inresponse to cisplatin, etoposide, and Topotecan.

FIG. 55 shows the changes in the viability of the circulating tumorcells derived from the other of two patients with small cell lung cancerin response to cisplatin, etoposide, and Topotecan.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, in some embodiments, a method for expandingcirculating tumor cells in vitro comprises the following steps. Firstly,a cell culture tool 10 for holding a cell solution is prepared (StepS10). In some embodiments, the cell culture tool 10 comprises asubstrate 11 and a multi-particle colloidal crystal layer 12. Thesubstrate 11 has a two-dimensional planar surface 110. Themulti-particle colloidal crystal layer 12 is located on thetwo-dimensional planar surface 110 of the substrate 11. The cell culturetool 10 may be a culture dish, a culture plate, a glass slide, a plasticslide, and so on. In other words, the substrate 11 may be a commonculture dish, a common culture plate, a glass slide or a plastic slide.For example, the substrate 11 of the cell culture tool 10 may include,but is not limited to, for example, a multi-well plate having at least 6wells or a multi-well plate having up to 96 wells.

Then, a cell solution 20 is prepared (Step S11). Here, the cell solution20 comprises circulating tumor cells 21 and a culture medium 22containing a platelet lysate. In an embodiment, the circulating tumorcells 21 may be isolated from the blood of a living organism first, andthen the isolated circulating tumor cells 21 are mixed with the culturemedium 22 to form the cell solution 20. In another embodiment, the bloodcontaining the circulating tumor cells 21 is directly mixed with theculture medium 22 to form the cell solution 20 without screening thecirculating tumor cells 21 first.

Then, the cell solution 20 is contacted with the multi-particlecolloidal crystal layer 12 on the cell culture tool 10 (as shown in FIG.4) (Step S12), to attach the circulating tumor cells 21 in the cellsolution 20 to the multi-particle colloidal crystal layer 21 and expandto a given condition (as shown in FIG. 5). In some embodiments, thegiven condition may be that the circulating tumor cells 21 attached tothe multi-particle colloidal crystal layer 12 are expanded to have acell density that is over 20 times the initial cell density inoculatedin a short time (6 weeks or less). For example, in three to four weeks,the circulating tumor cells 21 attached to the multi-particle colloidalcrystal layer 12 are expanded by 20 times or more. For example, afterStep S12, the surface of the multi-particle colloidal crystal layer 12is observed under an optical microscope, and colonies formed by thecirculating tumor cells 21 after amplification on the multi-particlecolloidal crystal layer are observed (indicated by the arrows), as shownin FIG. 6.

In some embodiments, the multi-particle colloidal crystal layer 12comprises two kinds of particles (referred to as first particles andsecond particles hereinafter). The first particles have a particle sizeof 1000 to 5000 nm, and the second particles have a particle size of 20to 400 nm.

Referring to FIG. 7, in some embodiments of Step S1, the first particlesand the second particles are mixed with a solvent to form a colloidalsolution (Step S101), and then the colloidal solution is coated on thetwo-dimensional planar surface 110 of the substrate 11 (Step S102).Next, the colloidal solution on the substrate 11 is dried under roomtemperature, to dry the colloidal solution into the multi-particlecolloidal crystal layer 12 (Step S103). Afterwards, the multi-particlecolloidal crystal layer 12 on the substrate 11 is heated such that themulti-particle colloidal crystal layer 12 is immobilized onto thetwo-dimensional planar surface 110 of the substrate 11 (Step S104). Inan embodiment of Step S103, the colloidal solution on the substrate 11is stood for at least 3 hrs, to allow the colloidal solution to be driedinto the multi-particle colloidal crystal layer 12. Here, the dryingsteps may take place at room temperature or at a high temperature (forexample, in an oven). In an embodiment of Step S104, the driedmulti-particle colloidal crystal layer 12 may be immobilized on thetwo-dimensional planar surface 110 by heating or cross-linking. When theimmobilization step is carried out by cross-linking, the cross-linkingagent used in the immobilization step may include, but is not limitedto, for example, toluene, benzene, xylene, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK),chloroform, tetrahydrofuran (THF), dimethylformamide (DMF), or acetoneetc.

In an embodiment, the first and second particles may be made fromdifferent materials. In another embodiment, the first and secondparticles may be made from the same material. Specifically, the firstand second particles may be made from silicon (Si), polystyrene (PS),carboxylated polystyrene (PSC), polystyrene sulfonic acid (PSS),poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), gelatin, polycaprolactone (PCL), poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), and any one or two of otheralternative polymer materials.

In some embodiments, besides the first and second particles, themulti-particle colloidal crystal layer 12 further comprises one or moreadditional particles (for example, third particles and/or quaternaryparticles). The third particles have a particle size different from thatof the first particles, and are made from a material different from thatof the second particles. Specifically, the third particles may be madefrom any one of Si, PS, PSC, PSS, PMMA, gelatin, PCL, PLGA, and otheralternative polymer materials. The third particles may have a particlesize of 20 to 400 nm.

In some embodiments, the culture medium 22 further comprises a basicfibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and an epidermal growth factor (EGF). Insome embodiments, the culture medium 22 comprises 10 ng/ml of at leastthree basic fibroblast growth factors, 10 ng/ml of an epidermal growthfactor, and 3%-20% of a platelet lysate. For example, the basal mediumin the culture medium 22 is DMEM/F12 medium, and a basic fibroblastgrowth factor, epidermal growth factors and a platelet lysate are addedto the DMEM/F12 medium to give a concentration of 10 ng/ml, 10 ng/ml,and 10% respectively, thus obtaining the culture medium 22. Here, theplatelet lysate may be human platelet lysate. In some embodiments, theculture medium 22 may further comprise an additional supplement, forexample, B27 supplement.

In some embodiments, the cell culture tool 10 and culture mediummaterials for formulating the culture medium 22 are taken as an integralkit or as main particles in a kit. For example, a kit for expandingcirculating tumor cells in vitro comprises the cell culture tool 10 andculture medium materials for formulating the culture medium 22. The cellculture tool 10 and the culture medium materials may be packed in apackage. Here, the kit for expanding circulating tumor cells in vitrocan be used for culturing the circulating tumor cells 21 which are thenused in the screening and evaluation of drugs. For example, referring toFIG. 8, the circulating tumor cells 21 are cultured by using the methodfor in-vitro expanding circulating tumor cells and/or the kit forin-vitro expanding circulating tumor cells, such that the circulatingtumor cells 21 are rapidly expanded by 20 times or more (Step S20). Inan embodiment of Step S20, the culture medium materials in the kit forexpanding circulating tumor cells in vitro are used to formulate theculture medium 22 containing a platelet lysate, and then the circulatingtumor cells 21 are mixed with the formulated culture medium 22 to formthe cell solution 20. Afterwards, the cell solution 20 is placed in thecell culture tool 10 of the kit for expanding circulating tumor cells invitro for culturing, until the circulating tumor cells 21 are expandedby 20 times or more.

After culturing (Step S20), a drug candidate to be evaluated is added tothe cell solution 20 containing the expanded circulating tumor cells 21(Step S21), and then the survival rate of the circulating tumor cells 21in the cell solution 20 is detected (Step S22). Finally, whether thedrug candidate can reduce the survival rate of the circulating tumorcells 21 is determined (Step S23). Here, after the evaluation procedure,the selected drug candidate can be used as a preferred drug candidate ora drug for treating corresponding cancers.

In some embodiments, the circulating tumor cells 21 are the tumor cellsderived from small cell lung cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer,pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, sarcoma, melanoma, esophagus cancer,colorectal cancer or nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

The preparation of the cell culture tool 10 of various particlecombinations is described below by way of examples. Here, the substrateof the cell culture tool 10 is a common culture plate. Here, two orthree kinds of particles are selected according to the particlecombinations shown in Table 1 below, and then mixed into a colloidalsolution. Next, the colloidal solution is positioned in a well of acommon culture plate, and stood overnight (that is, for at least 12 hrs)to air dry the colloidal solution. Afterwards, the air-dried cultureplate is heated in an oven, to volatilize the water in the colloidalsolution, that is, to form the multi-particle colloidal crystal layer12, and immobilize the multi-particle colloidal crystal layer 12 on abottom surface of the well of the culture plate.

TABLE 1 First particles Second particles Third particles Particle sizeParticle size Particle size Material (nm) Material (nm) Material (nm) Si2000 PS 65 — — Si 2000 PS 100 — — Si 2000 PSC 24 — — Si 2000 PSC 65 — —Si 2000 PSC 93 — — Si 2000 PSC 100 — — Si 2000 PSC 200 — — Si 2000 PSC220 — — Si 2000 PM 68 — — Si 2000 PM 100 — — Si 2000 PMMA 100 — — Si2000 PMMA 400 — — Si 2000 PLGA 200 — — Si 2000 PCL 200 — — Si 2000gelatin 200 — — Si 5000 PS 65 — — Si 5000 PS 200 — — Si 5000 PS 400 — —Si 5000 PSC 100 — — Si 5000 PSC 400 — — Si 5000 PM 68 — — Si 5000 PM 100— — Si 5000 PM 400 — — Si 5000 PMMA 100 — — Si 5000 PMMA 400 — — PS 2000PSC 100 — — PS 2000 PSC 220 — — PS 2000 PMMA 400 — — PSC 2000 PSC 22 — —PSC 2000 PSC 93 — — PSC 2000 PMMA 400 — — PSS 2000 PSC 24 — — Si 2000PMMA 400 PSC 93 PSC 2000 PMMA 400 PSC 60

The formed multi-particle colloidal crystal layer is observed under ascanning electron microscope, as shown in FIGS. 9A to 36.

FIGS. 9A and 9B show a multi-particle colloidal crystal layer formed bySi particles having a particle size of 2000 nm (that is, first particles121) and PS particles having a particle size of 65 nm (that is, secondparticles 122). FIGS. 10A and 10B show a multi-particle colloidalcrystal layer formed by Si particles having a particle size of 2000 nm(that is, first particles 121) and PS particles having a particle sizeof 100 nm (that is, second particles 122). FIG. 11 shows amulti-particle colloidal crystal layer formed by Si particles having aparticle size of 2000 nm (that is, first particles 121) and PSCparticles having a particle size of 24 nm (that is, second particles122). FIGS. 12A and 12B show a multi-particle colloidal crystal layerformed by Si particles having a particle size of 2000 nm (that is, firstparticles 121) and PSC particles having a particle size of 65 nm (thatis, second particles 122). FIG. 13 shows a multi-particle colloidalcrystal layer formed by Si particles having a particle size of 2000 nm(that is, first particles 121) and PSC particles having a particle sizeof 93 nm (that is, second particles 122). FIGS. 14A and 14B show amulti-particle colloidal crystal layer formed by Si particles having aparticle size of 2000 nm (that is, first particles 121) and PSCparticles having a particle size of 100 nm (that is, second particles122). FIGS. 15A and 15B show a multi-particle colloidal crystal layerformed by Si particles having a particle size of 2000 nm (that is, firstparticles 121) and PSC particles having a particle size of 200 nm (thatis, second particles 122). FIG. 16 shows a multi-particle colloidalcrystal layer formed by Si particles having a particle size of 2000 nm(that is, first particles 121) and PSC particles having a particle sizeof 220 nm (that is, second particles 122). FIGS. 17A and 17B show amulti-particle colloidal crystal layer formed by Si particles having aparticle size of 2000 nm (that is, first particles 121) and PM particleshaving a particle size of 68 nm (that is, second particles 122). FIGS.18A and 18B show a multi-particle colloidal crystal layer formed by Siparticles having a particle size of 2000 nm (that is, first particles121) and PM particles having a particle size of 100 nm (that is, secondparticles 122). FIG. 19 shows a multi-particle colloidal crystal layerformed by Si particles having a particle size of 2000 nm (that is, firstparticles 121) and PMMA particles having a particle size of 400 nm (thatis, second particles 122). FIG. 20 shows a multi-particle colloidalcrystal layer formed by Si particles having a particle size of 2000 nm(that is, first particles 121) and PLGA particles having a particle sizeof 200 nm (that is, second particles 122). FIG. 21 shows amulti-particle colloidal crystal layer formed by Si particles having aparticle size of 2000 nm (that is, first particles 121) and PCLparticles having a particle size of 200 nm (that is, second particles122). FIG. 22 shows a multi-particle colloidal crystal layer formed bySi particles having a particle size of 2000 nm (that is, first particles121) and gelatin particles having a particle size of 200 nm (that is,second particles 122). FIGS. 23A and 23B show a multi-particle colloidalcrystal layer formed by Si particles having a particle size of 5000 nm(that is, first particles 121) and PS particles having a particle sizeof 65 nm (that is, second particles 122). FIGS. 24A and 24B shows amulti-particle colloidal crystal layer formed by Si particles having aparticle size of 5000 nm (that is, first particles 121) and PS particleshaving a particle size of 200 nm (that is, second particles 122). FIGS.25A and 25B show a multi-particle colloidal crystal layer formed by Siparticles having a particle size of 5000 nm (that is, first particles121) and PS particles having a particle size of 400 nm (that is, secondparticles 122). FIGS. 26A and 26B show a multi-particle colloidalcrystal layer formed by Si particles having a particle size of 5000 nm(that is, first particles 121) and PSC particles having a particle sizeof 100 nm (that is, second particles 122). FIGS. 27A and 27B show amulti-particle colloidal crystal layer formed by Si particles having aparticle size of 5000 nm (that is, first particles 121) and PSCparticles having a particle size of 400 nm (that is, second particles122). FIGS. 28A and 28B show a multi-particle colloidal crystal layerformed by Si particles having a particle size of 5000 nm (that is, firstparticles 121) and PM particles having a particle size of 68 nm (thatis, second particles 122). FIGS. 29A and 29B show a multi-particlecolloidal crystal layer formed by Si particles having a particle size of5000 nm (that is, first particles 121) and PM particles having aparticle size of 100 nm (that is, second particles 122). FIGS. 30A and30B show a multi-particle colloidal crystal layer formed by Si particleshaving a particle size of 5000 nm (that is, first particles 121) and PMparticles having a particle size of 400 nm (that is, second particles122). FIG. 31 shows a multi-particle colloidal crystal layer formed byPSC particles having a particle size of 2000 nm (that is, firstparticles 121) and PSC particles having a particle size of 22 nm (thatis, second particles 122). FIG. 32 shows a multi-particle colloidalcrystal layer formed by PSC particles having a particle size of 2000 nm(that is, first particles 121)PSC particles having a particle size of 93nm (that is, second particles 122). FIG. 33 shows a multi-particlecolloidal crystal layer formed by PSC particles having a particle sizeof 2000 nm (that is, first particles 121) and PMMA particles having aparticle size of 400 nm (that is, second particles 122). FIG. 34 shows amulti-particle colloidal crystal layer formed by PSS particles having aparticle size of 2000 nm (that is, first particles 121) and PSCparticles having a particle size of 24 nm (that is, second particles122). FIG. 35 shows a multi-particle colloidal crystal layer formed bySi particles having a particle size of 2000 nm (that is, first particles121), PMMA particles having a particle size of 400 nm (that is, secondparticles 122) and PSC particles having a particle size of 93 nm FIG. 36shows a multi-particle colloidal crystal layer formed by PSC particleshaving a particle size of 2000 nm (that is, first particles 121), PMMAparticles having a particle size of 400 nm (that is, third particles123), and PSC particles having a particle size of 93 nm.

In some embodiments, the preparation of the cell solution can beperformed as follows. 5 ml of blood is sampled respectively patientshaving breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and small cell lung cancer. 15ml of Ficoll-Paque is added to a Leucosep™ centrifuge tube andcentrifuged. The blood is diluted in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) andtransferred to the Leucosep™ centrifuge tube, followed bycentrifugation. After centrifugation, the supernatant in the Leucosep™centrifuge tube is removed, and the retained lower solution is amonocyte phase. A circulating tumor cell enriched antibody mixture(RosetteSep™ CTC Enrichment Cocktail Containing AntiCD56) is added tothe monocyte phase, and mixed at room temperature. After mixing, a PBSbuffer containing 2% (v/v) Fetal Bovine Serum (FSB) is added and mixedto give a monocyte solution. Also, the monocyte solution is added toFicoll-Paque and centrifuged at room temperature. Next, the concentratedcells were removed from the intermediate layer obtained after thecentrifugation, and the concentrated cells were washed with a PBS buffersolution containing 2% (v/v) FBS. Here, a concentrated cell solutioncontaining the circulating tumor cells 21 (derived from small cell lungcancer, breast cancer, or pancreatic cancer) is obtained.

The culture medium 22 is added to each well of the cell culture tool 10.Then, the concentrated cell solution containing the circulating tumorcells 21 is added to the culture medium 22 to form the cell solution 20and then cultured. During the culturing process, some of the circulatingtumor cells 21 are attached to the multi-particle colloidal crystallayer 12 and expanded continuously, such that the cell density of thecirculating tumor cells 21 in the cell solution 20 reaches 10⁶ cells orhigher. The remaining circulating tumor cells 21 are suspended in theculture medium 22.

FIGS. 37 and 38 show the growth states of the melanoma-derivedcirculating tumor cells 21 at days 10 and 31 after being cultured in thecell culture tool 10 shown in FIGS. 25A and 25B according to the aboveprocedure. Here, at day 10 after culturing, the circulating tumor cells21 are attached to and form a colony on the multi-particle colloidalcrystal layer in the cell culture tool 10 (indicated by the arrows), asshown in FIG. 37. At day 31 after culturing, the colonies formed by thecirculating tumor cells 21 on the multi-particle colloidal crystal layerin the cell culture tool 10 are increased obviously (indicated by thearrows), as shown in FIG. 38.

FIGS. 39 and 40 show the growth states of the liver cancer-derivedcirculating tumor cells 21 at days 17 and 36 after being cultured in thecell culture tool 10 shown in FIGS. 24A and 24B according to the aboveprocedure. Here, at day 17 after culturing, the circulating tumor cells21 are attached to and form a colony on the multi-particle colloidalcrystal layer in the cell culture tool 10 (indicated by the arrows), asshown in FIG. 39. At day 36 after culturing, the colonies formed by thecirculating tumor cells 21 on the multi-particle colloidal crystal layerin the cell culture tool 10 are increased obviously (indicated by thearrows), as shown in FIG. 40.

FIGS. 41 and 42 show the growth states of the breast cancer-derivedcirculating tumor cells 21 at day 17 after being cultured according tothe above procedure. As can be seen from FIG. 42, the expandedcirculating tumor cells 21 express the fluorescence signals of Pan-CK,epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) and DPAI(4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole), but not the fluorescence signal ofCD45. FIGS. 43 and 44 show the growth states of the pancreaticcancer-derived circulating tumor cells 21 at day 25 after being culturedaccording to the above procedure. As can be seen from FIG. 44, theexpanded circulating tumor cells 21 express the fluorescence signals ofPan-CK, EpCAM, and DPAI, but not the fluorescence signal of CD45. FIGS.45 and 46 show the growth states of the small cell lung cancer-derivedcirculating tumor cells 21 at day 39 after being cultured according tothe above procedure. As can be seen from FIG. 46, the expandedcirculating tumor cells 21 express the fluorescence signals ofsynaptophysin, thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1) and DPAI, but notthe fluorescence signal of CD45.

As can be known from above figures, the circulating tumor cells 21derived from breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and small cell lungcancer can form many cell colonies on the multi-particle colloidalcrystal layer 12, the growth state is good, and the amplification speedis fast.

FIGS. 47 to 52 show the amplification states of the breastcancer-derived circulating tumor cells on various cell culture tools 10.The amplification state of the breast cancer-derived circulating tumorcells 21 on the cell culture tool 10 with a multi-particle colloidalcrystal layer 12 having Si particles having a particle size of 5000 nmand PS particles having a particle size of 400 nm is as shown in FIG.47, indicating that the multi-particle colloidal crystal layer 12obviously has many colonies formed through expanding the circulatingtumor cells 21 thereon (indicated by the arrows). The amplificationstate of the breast cancer-derived circulating tumor cells 21 on thecell culture tool 10 with a multi-particle colloidal crystal layer 12having Si particles having a particle size of 5000 nm and PS particleshaving a particle size of 200 nm is as shown in FIG. 48, indicating thatthe multi-particle colloidal crystal layer 12 obviously has manycolonies formed through expanding the circulating tumor cells 21 thereon(indicated by the arrows). The amplification state of the breastcancer-derived circulating tumor cells 21 on the cell culture tool 10with a multi-particle colloidal crystal layer 12 having Si particleshaving a particle size of 5000 nm and PS particles having a particlesize of 65 nm is as shown in FIG. 49, indicating that the multi-particlecolloidal crystal layer 12 obviously has many colonies formed throughexpanding the circulating tumor cells 21 thereon (indicated by thearrows). The amplification state of the breast cancer-derivedcirculating tumor cells 21 on the cell culture tool 10 with amulti-particle colloidal crystal layer 12 having Si particles having aparticle size of 5000 nm and PSC particles having a particle size of 100nm is as shown in FIG. 50, indicating that the multi-particle colloidalcrystal layer 12 obviously has many colonies formed through expandingthe circulating tumor cells 21 thereon (indicated by the arrows). Theamplification state of the breast cancer-derived circulating tumor cells21 on the cell culture tool 10 with a multi-particle colloidal crystallayer 12 having Si particles having a particle size of 2000 nm and PSparticles having a particle size of 65 nm is as shown in FIG. 51,indicating that the multi-particle colloidal crystal layer 12 obviouslyhas many colonies formed through expanding the circulating tumor cells21 thereon (indicated by the arrows). The amplification state of thebreast cancer-derived circulating tumor cells 21 on the cell culturetool 10 with a multi-particle colloidal crystal layer 12 having Siparticles having a particle size of 2000 nm and PSC particles having aparticle size of 100 nm is as shown in FIG. 52. As can be known fromabove figures, the circulating tumor cells 21 grow vigorously and formmore and larger colonies on the cell culture tool 10 with amulti-particle colloidal crystal layer having various combinations ofparticles.

FIG. 53 shows the amplification time in weeks and the living states of19 groups of circulating tumor cells 21. The cells are expandedfollowing the method for expanding circulating tumor cells in vitro. Thegroup where the cells are expanded by more than 20 times and growcontinuously after 5 weeks of amplification is considered as asuccessful case, and the group where cells are dead after five weeks ofamplification is considered as a failure case. As can be seen from FIG.53, 18 out of the 19 cases in this experiment have more than 20-timeexpanding CTCs and the cells can grow continuously. That is, the successrate of expanding the circulating tumor cells 21 by the method forin-vitro expanding circulating tumor cells can reach 95% (18/19*100%).

According to the above procedure, the circulating tumor cells 21 areisolated from the blood of two patients with small cell lung cancer andcultured. Then cisplatin, etoposide and Topotecan injection are fed tothe cell solution 20. The cell viability was measured by CellTiterLuminescent cell viability and the survival rate is calculated by thefollowing formula:Cell survival rate(%)=(luminescence density in the treatedgroup/luminescence density in the control group)×100%.

FIGS. 54 and 55 show the changes in the viability of the circulatingtumor cells 21 derived from these two patients with small cell lungcancer in response to cisplatin, etoposide, and Topotecan, respectively.The treatment groups Cis-1 and Cis-2 represent groups administered withdifferent amounts of cisplatin, the treatment groups Eto-1 and Eto-2represent groups administered with different amounts of etoposide, thetreatment groups Topo-1 and Topo-2 represent groups administered withdifferent amounts of Topotecan, and Ctrl represents the control group.

As can be known from FIG. 54, in the presence of cisplatin, etoposide,and Topotecan, the survival rate of the circulating tumor cells 21derived the blood of the first patient is more than 85%, and there is nosignificant decrease compared with the control group Ctrl. In otherwords, the test results show that the three agent cisplatin, etoposide,and Topotecan cannot inhibit the activity of the circulating tumor cells21 derived from the blood of the patients with small cell lung cancer.In combination with the outcome where the patient is treated withcisplatin, etoposide, and Topotecan clinically, it can be furtherconfirmed that these three drugs have no significant therapeutic effecton the small cell lung cancer in the patients.

As can be known from FIG. 55, in the presence of cisplatin andtopotecan, the survival rate of the expanded circulating tumor cells 21from the second patient is less than 20%, and there is significantdecrease compared with the control group Ctrl. Moreover, in the presenceof etoposide, the survival rate of the expanded circulating tumor cells21 from the second patient is also lower than the control group Ctrl. Incombination with the outcome where the patient is treated withcisplatin, etoposide, and Topotecan clinically, it can be furtherconfirmed that the cisplatin and topotecan respond well to small celllung cancer in the second patients, that is, have therapeutic effect.

It can be seen that by adding the drugs into the cell solution 20 anddetecting the changes in cell activity, results that are consistent withthe outcome obtained in clinical application are obtained, and drugsthat are more suitable for individual patients can be evaluated andscreened more accurately.

In summary, in the method and kit for expanding circulating tumor cellsin vitro according to the embodiments of the present invention, a cellculture tool 10 with a multi-particle colloidal crystal layer having asuitable range of particle sizes on the surface are employed to enablethe circulating tumor cells 21 attach to it and expand effectively.Moreover, the method and kit for expanding circulating tumor cells invitro according to the embodiments of the present invention allow thecirculating tumor cells 21 to be rapidly expanded by 20 times or more in6 weeks or less. Furthermore, in the method and kit for expandingcirculating tumor cells in vitro according to the embodiments of thepresent invention, after the amplification, the expanded circulatingtumor cells 21 are further applicable to the evaluation of drugs, so asto rapidly screen related drugs for treating corresponding cancers.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for expanding circulating tumor cells invitro, comprising: preparing a cell culture tool comprising: atwo-dimensional planar surface; and a multi-particle colloidal crystallayer, located on the two-dimensional planar surface, and comprising aplurality of first particles having a particle size of 1000 to 5000 nmand a plurality of second particles having a particle size of 20 to 400nm; preparing a cell solution, comprising a culture medium and aplurality of circulating tumor cells, wherein the culture mediumcomprises a platelet lysate; and contacting the cell solution with themulti-particle colloidal crystal layer, to attach the circulating tumorcells to the multi-particle colloidal crystal layer and expand to agiven condition.
 2. The method for expanding circulating tumor cells invitro according to claim 1, wherein the first and second particles aremade from any two of silicon, polystyrene, carboxylated polystyrene,poly(methyl methacrylate), gelatin, polycaprolactone, and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid).
 3. The method for expanding circulating tumorcells in vitro according to claim 1, wherein the step of preparing thecell culture tool comprises: mixing the first particles, the secondparticles and a solvent to form a colloidal solution; coating thecolloidal solution on the two-dimensional planar surface; drying thecolloidal solution on the two-dimensional planar surface, to dry thecolloidal solution into the multi-particle colloidal crystal layer; andimmobilizing the multi-particle colloidal crystal layer onto thetwo-dimensional planar surface.
 4. The method for expanding circulatingtumor cells in vitro according to claim 1, wherein the concentration ofthe platelet lysate is 3-20% of the culture medium.
 5. The method forexpanding circulating tumor cells in vitro according to claim 1, whereinthe multi-particle colloidal crystal layer further comprises a pluralityof third particles, wherein third particles have a particle sizedifferent from that of the first particles, and are made from a materialdifferent from that of the second particles.
 6. The method for expandingcirculating tumor cells in vitro according to claim 1, furthercomprising: adding a drug candidate to the cell solution containing theexpanded circulating tumor cells; detecting the survival rate of thecirculating tumor cells in the cell solution; and determining whetherthe drug candidate reduces the survival rate of the circulating tumorcells or not.
 7. The method for expanding circulating tumor cells invitro according to claim 6, wherein the circulating tumor cells aretumor cells derived from small cell lung cancer, lung cancer, breastcancer, pancreatic cancer, sarcoma, melanoma, liver cancer, esophaguscancer, colorectal cancer, or nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
 8. A kit forexpanding circulating tumor cells in vitro, comprising culture mediummaterials, for formulating a culture medium comprising a plateletlysate; and a cell culture tool, for accommodating the culture medium,wherein the cell culture tool comprises a two-dimensional planarsurface; and a multi-particle colloidal crystal layer, located on thetwo-dimensional planar surface, and comprising a plurality of firstparticles having a particle size of 1000 to 5000 nm and a plurality ofsecond particles having a particle size of 20 to 400 nm.
 9. The kit forexpanding circulating tumor cells in vitro according to claim 8, whereinthe first and second particles are made from at least one of silicon,polystyrene, carboxylated polystyrene, poly(methyl methacrylate),gelatin, polycaprolactone, and poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid).
 10. Thekit for expanding circulating tumor cells in vitro according to claim 8,wherein the concentration of the platelet lysate is 3-20% of the culturemedium.